Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-25

1884. 3. 102. These figures represent pub
lie burden of no small proportions. But we
doubt if Mr. McGonegal, of Monroe county,
who advocated before the New York conven
ton at Babylon the imposition of tax of not
less than s. on each immigrant arriving AT
any port in the United States. the proceeds to
be used to support immigrants becoming de-
pendent. paying passages back, etc.. will tind
much support for his PROJECT. Five dollars
would be large sum to many an industrious,
deserving immigrant. and this would seem
altogether too much like making the innocent
suffer for the guilty. The convention appar-
emily took that view in turning the whole
| subject over to Congress, in a resolution
which suggested the addition of only one new
class to those already excluded by law
anarchists But just how anarchists are to
be shut out simply for being anarchists the
convention wisely refrained from trying to
show.
The whole subject grows upon tine atten-
| ton of the country in a marked degree. II is
already fixed feature in party platforms.
The Pennsylvania republicans followed the
example of both the party conventions in
| Ohio in calling for restriction. As another
| indication of public sentiment, the Philadel-
pbia Society for Organizing Charity has can
vassed the various similar associations of the
country, with the result that. of seventeen
societies in different States, twelve were
found to favor restrictive legislation, while
| FIVE either opposed it or failed to take any
decided attitude. Ii is obvious that the sub
ject will be pressed upon tine consideration of
Congress in a wav that body can hardly dis
regard. 1t is likely TO need all its wisdom in
dealing with the question. Secretary Bsyard
wisely said, in transmitting the immigration
report to Congress. that, taking into consid-
Grafton the immigration of skilled labor, 1t
would seem that indiscriminate restriction
| would be quite as mischevOus as indiscriml-
nate permission is sometimes repre- ented to
be-" But there is no question now of indis
criminate restriction. The general opinion
as represented in the reports of our consuls
abroad and the press seems to be simply IN
favor of more effective quarantine against
the pauper anu criminal classes, 10 be achieved
by requiring each immigrant to bring Ger
tfcate of good character, cepaclty of self
support, etc. from the United States Consul
stationed nearest his home or port of de-
parture. Beyond this it hardly seems prac-
ticable to go. For the rest we must trust
the National digestion to take care of the
task put upon it.
l. is curious and interesting fact that
some of the evils of immigration we are now
feeling showed thems elves sooner in countries
younger than ours. For example, three years
ago the colonial government of New Zealand
was taking from England large numbers of
mechanics, farm laborers and domestic ser
wants free of charge, merely requiring them
to pay FL for the kit for use on board ship.
The prospect Of getting three months living
for so trifing sum was alone enough to draw
crowd of undesirable immigrants, the colony
bod md 81 eff ~ m
ulate immigration have ceased SO also IN
New South Wales the trades organizations
declared there was large surplus of laborers,
aud seLt speakers to England to check the
movement. Finally the colony's immigra-
ton bureau in London was closed. The cheap
steerage rates in this country have been equiv
alent to An "assisted passage" ard if we have
not earlier felt ill effects it was doubtless be-
cause our vast resources enabled US TO find
use for a great number of workers, and also,
it must be said, to feed good manv paupers.